David Smith, CEO of Diageo Ireland, sounded like a man with all the answers in dealing with the alcohol problem in this country. He spoke of making a cultural change in regard to alcohol.

Without ever financing another “campaign” to seemingly tackle the problem of alcohol abuse, Diageo could do worse than look at itself and the way they conduct their business. 

I am all in favour of the “Responsible Serving of Alcohol Programme” which on the surface seems like a very good idea, having been endorsed by among others the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF).

There may be some people who having experienced the trauma of a loved one’s suicide will gain a certain solace from the new short form death certificate that the Tánaiste Joan Burton intends to introduce.

Some people who have experienced the trauma of a loved one’s suicide may gain solace from the new short-form death certificate that the Tanaiste Joan Burton intends to introduce. I am sure this is being done with good intention, but I will not gain any comfort from it.